Portland Trail Blazers acting head coach Tiago Splitter credited resilience, execution and collective effort after a 114-110 win over the Phoenix Suns in Tuesday’s Western Conference play-in matchup.
Splitter emphasized that the moment belonged to the group rather than any individual, framing the win as a season-long response. “I don’t want to talk about myself, just the group. I think it’s a culmination of a tough year, but this group is very resilient,” he said.
Portland closed the game behind a 41-point performance from Deni Avdija, who also added 12 assists in a high-usage role that shaped the Suns’ defensive rotations. Splitter highlighted how the Blazers sustained belief in the final stretch.
“I think we showed that in the fourth quarter, just believing in ourselves and getting it done. I’m happy for them. They went through a lot throughout the season,” Splitter said.
The win secured a playoff berth for Portland, something Splitter described as a milestone for a group that endured rotation changes and injuries. “It’s a great accomplishment for this group,” he added.
Locker room reaction reflected the stakes of the result, with Splitter pointing to a shared response across the roster. “It’s just a joy. You know everybody happy for each other even the guys that didn’t play much. It wasn’t about like egos own agendas. It was about the team,” he said.
Portland’s late-game execution included small-ball adjustments and key shot-making, including contributions from returning players. Splitter stressed the importance of depth in a game decided by four points.
“Jerami Grant… made two big shots at the end. We went small and he changed the game out there,” Splitter said, pointing to the impact of rotational flexibility.
Avdija’s workload stood out, with Splitter noting both production and endurance in a high-pressure environment. “He just kept going, kept believing in himself… played 38 minutes, had the ball a lot and decided the game for us,” he said.
When asked about Avdija’s development in a high-stakes setting, Splitter framed it within a larger competitive standard that now shifts to the postseason. “He’s an all-star. He’s been proven that he’s a great player,” he said.
Splitter added that playoff basketball will require another level of adjustment and consistency across games. “Now you got to go to the playoff and perform there… you got other adjustments game by game,” he said.
He also highlighted contribution from Scoot Henderson who stepped into roles during the rotation-heavy contest. “Scoot did a good job… Shaedon being out, he was pretty good… very positive tonight,” Splitter said.
The Blazers overcame a late Suns run that included a double-digit swing in the fourth quarter, responding with a controlled push to close the game. Splitter credited the team’s ability to reset during momentum shifts.
“It’s a game of moments. It’s a game of runs… now, we’re going to have ours,” he said, referencing a timeout during Phoenix’s surge.
Looking ahead, Splitter stressed recovery and preparation ahead of the next stage of the postseason pathway. “Tomorrow will be taking care of your body… watch this film… be ready to go the next day,” he said.
Portland now advances to face the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs in the first round, entering the series with momentum from a tightly contested play-in win.
